Gelatin is a versatile protein obtained by controlled hydrolysis of collagen and is central to many pharmaceutical applications including capsule shells, stabilizers and drug delivery matrices. B. Pharm students should master gelatin chemistry—amino acid composition, gelation mechanism, bloom strength, viscosity and molecular weight distribution—along with common sources (bovine, porcine, fish), extraction methods (acidic Type A, alkaline Type B), preparation parameters, quality evaluation (bloom test, viscosity, Kjeldahl nitrogen, ash), and optimal preservation and storage to prevent microbial or physicochemical degradation. Understand therapeutic uses (hemostatic sponges, wound dressings, vaccine stabilizers) and broad commercial utility (food, cosmetics, photographic). Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which primary biomolecule is the direct source of commercial gelatin?
- Collagen from animal connective tissue
- Plant-derived pectin
- Synthetic polymer
- Bacterial exopolysaccharide
Correct Answer: Collagen from animal connective tissue
Q2. What chemical process converts collagen into gelatin?
- Hydrolysis
- Dehydration
- Oxidation
- Polymerization
Correct Answer: Hydrolysis
Q3. The main distinction between Type A and Type B gelatin is:
- Acid-treated (Type A) versus alkali-treated (Type B)
- Different animal species only
- Bloom strength alone
- Color variation only
Correct Answer: Acid-treated (Type A) versus alkali-treated (Type B)
Q4. The Bloom test primarily measures which property of gelatin?
- Gel strength
- Viscosity
- pH
- Molecular weight
Correct Answer: Gel strength
Q5. What is the unit commonly reported for bloom strength?
- grams
- mPa·s
- mg/mL
- °C
Correct Answer: grams
Q6. Gel formation in gelatin solutions on cooling is mainly due to:
- Renaturation to triple helix structures (reassociation of polypeptide chains)
- Ionic crosslinking with counterions
- Crystallization of side chains
- Hydrophobic collapse only
Correct Answer: Renaturation to triple helix structures (reassociation of polypeptide chains)
Q7. The isoelectric point (pI) of gelatin is influenced most by:
- Preparation method (acid vs alkaline)
- Ambient temperature
- Salt concentration only
- Particle size of the powder
Correct Answer: Preparation method (acid vs alkaline)
Q8. Which factors influence the viscosity of a gelatin solution?
- Molecular weight
- pH
- Concentration
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Q9. Which analytical test is standard for determining nitrogen content in gelatin?
- Kjeldahl method
- TLC
- HPLC
- UV-Vis spectrophotometry
Correct Answer: Kjeldahl method
Q10. Which technique is commonly used to assess molecular weight distribution of gelatin peptides?
- SDS-PAGE
- Colorimetry
- Refractometry
- Gas chromatography
Correct Answer: SDS-PAGE
Q11. Optimal storage conditions to minimize microbial growth in gelatin powders are:
- Dry, cool, low-humidity environment
- Warm and humid room
- Direct sunlight exposure
- Immersed in water
Correct Answer: Dry, cool, low-humidity environment
Q12. The primary means of preserving gelatin powder quality commercially is:
- Low moisture content and proper packaging
- Adding sodium azide as preservative
- High sugar addition
- Heat sterilization of final product only
Correct Answer: Low moisture content and proper packaging
Q13. In therapeutic applications, gelatin is commonly used as:
- Hemostatic sponge and wound dressing material
- An antihypertensive agent
- A broad-spectrum antibiotic
- A cholesterol-lowering statin
Correct Answer: Hemostatic sponge and wound dressing material
Q14. Pharmaceutical hard and soft capsules are primarily fabricated from:
- Type A or Type B gelatin
- Cellulose derivatives
- Gelatin hydrolysate only
- Polyethylene
Correct Answer: Type A or Type B gelatin
Q15. Compared with mammalian gelatin, fish-derived gelatin typically shows:
- Lower gelation temperature and often lower bloom strength
- Higher gelation temperature
- Identical physical properties
- Strong metallic odor only
Correct Answer: Lower gelation temperature and often lower bloom strength
Q16. Which agent is commonly used to crosslink gelatin and increase thermal and enzymatic stability?
- Glutaraldehyde
- Sodium chloride
- Ethanol
- Water
Correct Answer: Glutaraldehyde
Q17. An increase in bloom strength typically correlates with:
- Higher proportion of high molecular weight gelatin fractions
- Lower molecular weight fractions predominating
- Lower pH only
- Increased ash content
Correct Answer: Higher proportion of high molecular weight gelatin fractions
Q18. The clarity test for gelatin evaluates:
- Optical transmittance/clarity of a gelatin solution or gel
- Gel strength numerically
- Ash content
- Odor profile
Correct Answer: Optical transmittance/clarity of a gelatin solution or gel
Q19. Which amino acids are abundant in gelatin and important for helix stability?
- Glycine, proline and hydroxyproline
- Lysine, methionine and tryptophan
- Cysteine, histidine and alanine
- Tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine
Correct Answer: Glycine, proline and hydroxyproline
Q20. Elevated ash content in a gelatin sample indicates:
- Higher mineral and inorganic impurities
- Higher protein purity
- Higher viscosity
- Increased bloom strength
Correct Answer: Higher mineral and inorganic impurities
Q21. The approximate isoelectric point (pI) range for Type B (alkali-treated) gelatin is:
- 4.7–5.2
- 7.0–9.0
- 2.0–3.0
- 10.0–11.0
Correct Answer: 4.7–5.2
Q22. For long-term storage, commercial gelatin powder is best kept at:
- Cool temperatures (around 10–15 °C) in dry conditions
- Warm room temperature (30–40 °C)
- Frozen at −20 °C
- Exposed to ambient humidity
Correct Answer: Cool temperatures (around 10–15 °C) in dry conditions
Q23. Which spectroscopic technique is valuable to monitor peptide bond and secondary-structure changes during collagen-to-gelatin conversion?
- FTIR spectroscopy
- Refractometry
- Polarimetry
- Flame photometry
Correct Answer: FTIR spectroscopy
Q24. Gelatin is insoluble in cold water but readily soluble in:
- Hot water
- Diethyl ether
- Chloroform
- Benzene
Correct Answer: Hot water
Q25. In the photographic industry, gelatin is primarily used as:
- An emulsion binder for silver halide crystals
- A flavoring agent
- A food preservative only
- An inert filler for paper
Correct Answer: An emulsion binder for silver halide crystals
Q26. Bloom strength measurement involves which apparatusic action?
- Applying a standard weight with a plunger to a set gel
- Measuring viscosity with a viscometer
- Determining pH of a gelatin solution
- Spectrophotometric absorbance measurement
Correct Answer: Applying a standard weight with a plunger to a set gel
Q27. Gelation temperature of gelatin is influenced by:
- Salt concentration, molecular weight and polymer concentration
- Only the color of gelatin
- Only the manufacturing country
- Only the atmospheric pressure
Correct Answer: Salt concentration, molecular weight and polymer concentration
Q28. Microbial spoilage of gelatin is most likely when the product has:
- High moisture content and poor packaging
- Very low moisture and vacuum packaging
- Stored under refrigeration in dry condition
- Desiccant-lined packaging
Correct Answer: High moisture content and poor packaging
Q29. Gelatin hydrolysates (collagen peptides) are widely marketed as:
- Nutraceutical supplements for joint and skin health
- Sterile injectable solvents
- Primary solvents for capsule manufacture
- Photographic developing agents
Correct Answer: Nutraceutical supplements for joint and skin health
Q30. Compliance of pharmaceutical-grade gelatin with heavy metals and contaminants is verified by:
- Pharmacopoeial monograph tests and specified analytical limits
- Organoleptic evaluation only
- Bloom test only
- Viscosity measurement only
Correct Answer: Pharmacopoeial monograph tests and specified analytical limits
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com